As Europe diversifies its defence, Canberra still clings to AUKUS
Gregory Andrews

As Europe diversifies its defence, Canberra still clings to AUKUS

Anthony Albanese is about to pour more than $12 billion into a new AUKUS submarine base in Perth.

China’s giant military parade didn’t surprise just the West
Geoff Raby

China’s giant military parade didn’t surprise just the West

China’s recent display of its newly acquired military might surprised not only international observers, but also its own seasoned diplomats.

AFP won’t look in the mirror of a murder of one of their own
Jack Waterford

AFP won’t look in the mirror of a murder of one of their own

It is nearly 37 years since assistant commissioner Col Winchester, head of the ACT arm of the Australian Federal Police, was shot twice in the head soon after he drove his car into the driveway alongside his Deakin home.


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Out of darkness comes a shaft of cheer
Duncan Graham

Out of darkness comes a shaft of cheer

The news from Indonesia this month has been dispiriting – natural disaster flooding in Bali and Flores, man-made maladministration, political chicanery, perpetual graft and rioting in the cities. The headlines imply the country is crumpling. It's not, and here's why.

The martyrdom of Charlie Kirk
Chris Hedges

The martyrdom of Charlie Kirk

Martyrs are used by messianic movements to sanctify violence. To show any mercy or understanding toward the enemy is to betray the martyr and the cause the martyr died defending.

‘We took the gloves off’: Former Israeli military chief admits 220,000 Gaza casualties
Brett Wilkins

‘We took the gloves off’: Former Israeli military chief admits 220,000 Gaza casualties

A former Israel Defence Forces chief of staff says more than over 10% of Gaza’s population of approximately 2.2 million was killed or injured since October 2023.

What will happen if/when the AI bubble bursts
Noel Turnbull

What will happen if/when the AI bubble bursts

Is the AI boom heading towards a bust – just like many other boom and bust cycles of the past?

Attacking Qatar shows Israel doesn’t want a Gaza ceasefire
Abubakr Al-Shamahi

Attacking Qatar shows Israel doesn’t want a Gaza ceasefire

Netanyahu keeps changing his position on a Gaza ceasefire, using different ploys to keep the war going.

New ‘thought policing’ bill may let Rubio strip passports from US citizens over political speech
Stephen Prager

New ‘thought policing’ bill may let Rubio strip passports from US citizens over political speech

“Marco Rubio has claimed the power to designate people terrorist supporters based solely on what they think and say,” said one free speech advocate.

Landmark report to combat Islamophobia in Australia launched
Zia Ahmad

Landmark report to combat Islamophobia in Australia launched

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese together with Dr Anne Aly, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, joined Special Envoy Aftab Malik in Sydney on Friday 12 September 2025 for the launch of the landmark report A National Response to Islamophobia: A strategic Framework for Inclusion, Safety and Prosperity.

Australia needs to diplomatically disengage from our 'dangerous ally'
John Menadue

Australia needs to diplomatically disengage from our 'dangerous ally'

It seems likely that our prime minister will meet Donald Trump at the United Nations General Assembly later this month.

Latest on Palestine and Israel

‘We took the gloves off’: Former Israeli military chief admits 220,000 Gaza casualties
Brett Wilkins

‘We took the gloves off’: Former Israeli military chief admits 220,000 Gaza casualties

A former Israel Defence Forces chief of staff says more than over 10% of Gaza’s population of approximately 2.2 million was killed or injured since October 2023.

Attacking Qatar shows Israel doesn’t want a Gaza ceasefire
Abubakr Al-Shamahi

Attacking Qatar shows Israel doesn’t want a Gaza ceasefire

Netanyahu keeps changing his position on a Gaza ceasefire, using different ploys to keep the war going.

The UN turns 80
Alison Broinowski

The UN turns 80

The most important agenda item for the United Nations General Assembly this month will be the future of Palestine. But Palestinian leaders will be unable to discuss it, because they will be absent.

When Albanese thanked a wanted war criminal
Jaron Sutton

When Albanese thanked a wanted war criminal

Monday, 11 August 2025, was a dark day in Australian political history. On that day, a serving Australian prime minister publicly thanked a wanted war criminal.

Genocide – Armenia (1915-16) and Gaza (2023-25)
Adrian Lipscomb

Genocide – Armenia (1915-16) and Gaza (2023-25)

The term “genocide”, and its codification in international law, has its origins in the mass murder of Armenians in 1915–16.

‘No safe place left’ as Israel moves to ethnically cleanse nearly 1m Gazans
Brett Wilkins

‘No safe place left’ as Israel moves to ethnically cleanse nearly 1m Gazans

“This is the latest chapter in the genocide that Israel is committing in Gaza and part of a broader campaign of ethnic cleansing engulfing the entire Gaza Strip,” said Oxfam International.

Palm Beach, Florida: latitude, 26.7 N – Gaza City: latitude, 31.5 N
Warwick McFadyen

Palm Beach, Florida: latitude, 26.7 N – Gaza City: latitude, 31.5 N

In Palm Beach, there lives a man who, when not living in the White House, enjoys the balm of temperate climes. He lives in a mansion, extravagant and luxurious. He wants for nothing.

Displacement and death in Gaza City as Israeli depravity continues
Ayman Qwaider

Displacement and death in Gaza City as Israeli depravity continues

This week, Israel killed my cousin Mohammed, a young and cheerful lawyer, along with his wife Myriam and their only seven-day-old baby, Jaber.


John Menadue's book on Israel's war against Gaza

Israel's war against Gaza

Media coverage of the war in Gaza since October 2023 has spread a series of lies propagated by Israel and the United States. This publication presents information, analysis, clarification, views and perspectives largely unavailable in mainstream media in Australia and elsewhere.

Download the PDF

Latest on China

China’s giant military parade didn’t surprise just the West
Geoff Raby

China’s giant military parade didn’t surprise just the West

China’s recent display of its newly acquired military might surprised not only international observers, but also its own seasoned diplomats.

Climate change, not China, is the real threat in the South Pacific
John Menadue

Climate change, not China, is the real threat in the South Pacific

Countries of the South Pacific have good reason to encourage China and other countries to assist them with infrastructure. And there is nothing that Australia should, or could, do about it.

A nation of narcissists
Patrick Lawrence

A nation of narcissists

Narcissism is the open-and-shut condition of the elites who fashion and execute American foreign policy. And they are utterly incapable of seeing their country as it is.


John Menadue

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More from Pearls and Irritations


Latest letters to the editor

The end of cruelty towards refugees

Jennifer Haines — Glossodia

Sophie Singh calls for the end of cruelty towards refugees. Labor has done that in part, having transferred up to 19,000 people from TPVs to permanent residency. But we still have too many of the legacy caseload to process and they have been waiting too long. These are better circumstances for Labor. The fearmongering Peter Dutton is gone. But then we have the vitalisation of Nauru as a refugee colony of Australia if the Nauruans will let it happen. People from all parts of the world are taken to Nauru to start another life. If there are errors on...
Armenian genocide has no comparison

Simon Tatz — Melbourne

Adrian Lipscomb is wrong to claim “similarities between the Armenian and Gazan genocides”. Anzac PoWs were witnesses and their uncensored accounts were recorded, as the Armenian National Committee of Australia explains: “Shortly after the Gallipoli campaign, Australian soldiers came into contact with the genocides of the Armenian, Greeks and Assyrians. Over 300 ANZACs were held as prisoners of war by the Ottoman forces. These ANZACs recorded their experiences in detailed diaries and memoirs with vivid accounts of the genocide. Many of these accounts are now stored in the archives of the Australian War Memorial.” For reasons only...
Charlie Hebdo to Charlie Kirk – in a blink

John Mosig — Kew, Victoria

Every faltering cause needs a martyr. Charlie Kirk is Trump’s Maga Movement sacrificial goat. The incandescent rage and the irrational response to Kirk’s assassination is not unexpected, but no less disturbing. While stifling public debate on criticism of Kirk’s aggressively expounded and controversial views is another step down the path of authoritarianism in the land of the free, extending visa bans on “foreigners” who may have expressed an adverse opinion to Kirk’s seems ludicrous, paranoiac even. While this shift from the America we grew up with seems relatively recent, in 1986 the controversial rock musician, Frank Zappa, said, during...
A great resource for educators and students

Ray Peck — Hawthorn

The recent article by Peter Newman, Professor of Sustainability at Curtin University, and Ray Wills, Professor of Agriculture and Environment at the University of WA, was both timely and uplifting. In a global media climate dominated by crises, their account of humanity’s clean energy transition as “the fastest in human history” offers rare but essential optimism. The inclusion of extensive hyperlinks is a notable strength of online publishing, enhancing the article’s usefulness for educators seeking to engage an increasingly worried student cohort. Such resources may also encourage students to view the energy sector not only as a site...



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Can the EU and NATO impose tariffs on India and China, as Trump wants?
In an effort to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, the US president proposes tariffs targeting Putin's major trading partners.
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Nepal’s PM Karki appoints ministers after deadly Gen Z protests
The interim leader and her new team will govern the country until elections are held in early March.
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A family member says he had turned political recently and hated Kirk. But Robinson's family is staunchly Republican.
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The postponed hearing could lead to the removal of Ozgur Ozel, the Republican People's Party's chairman.
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